U.S. patent number 4,660,554 [Application Number 06/789,498] was granted by the patent office on 1987-04-28 for dual purpose athletic brief and cup supporter.
Invention is credited to Timothy D. Wright.
United States Patent |
4,660,554 |
Wright |
April 28, 1987 |
Dual purpose athletic brief and cup supporter
Abstract
A combination athletic brief and cup supporter specially formed
and constructed of approximately 13 percent Spandex/Lycra and 87
percent Nylon stretch material, including a brief having a waist
and two openings for the legs of the brief wearer, and a cup pocket
formed in the front portion of the brief by a single piece of
material sewn thereon along the sides and bottom thereof to the
front and along the bottom thereof. The method of constructing said
combination athletic brief and cup supporter is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Wright; Timothy D. (Whittier,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
25147818 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/789,498 |
Filed: |
October 21, 1985 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
602/67;
602/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B
9/004 (20130101); A41B 9/02 (20130101); A41B
2400/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A41B
9/00 (20060101); A41B 9/02 (20060101); A61F
005/40 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/158 ;2/78R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McNeill; Gregory E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lofstedt; Ben E.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An improved athletic brief and cup supporter combination,
comprising:
(a) a brief formed of a combination Nylon-Spandex or Nylon-Lycra,
comprising approximately 87 percent Nylon and 13 percent Spandex or
Lycra, varying from 3 to 5 percent in such compositional mix, the
brief having:
a waistband portion adapted to encircle the waist of the brief
wearer, said waistband including an elastic band of material sewn
therein to provide a means for intimately gripping the waist of the
brief wearer;
a first leg opening in the brief with an elastic band sewn therein
for encircling one of the legs of the brief wearer;
a second leg opening in the brief with an elastic band sewn therein
for encircling the other of the legs of the brief wearer;
(b) a cup supporter, comprising:
a front panel of material formed of a combination Nylon-Spandex or
Nylon-Lycra, comprising approximately 87 percent Nylon and 13
percent Spandex or Lycra, varying from 3 to 5 percent in such
compositional mix, said front panel having a pair of
oppositely-disposed arcuate portions thereon adapted to be
alignably sewn to the leg portions and the elastic bands contained
thereabout, a bottom portion adapted to be sewn to the bottom of
the brief, a pair of oppositely-disposed, vertically-arranged edges
sewn to the front portion of the brief, and a top portion having an
elastic band sewn therein with a pair of looped portions at the
opposite extremities thereof which are sewn to the waistband of the
brief.
2. The combination athletic brief and cup supporter of claim 1,
further comprising a vertically sewn seam along one side of the
brief.
3. The combination athletic brief and cup supporter of claim 2,
further comprising a vertically sewn seam along the other opposite
side of the brief.
4. The combination athletic brief and cup supporter of claim 2
wherein said vertically sewn seam faces inwardly towards th inside
the brief.
5. The combination athletic brief and cup supporter of claim 2
wherein both of said vertically sewn seams face inwardly towards
the inside the brief.
6. The combination athletic brief and cup supporter of claim 1,
further comprising a seam sewn along the bottom of the brief and
the front panel forming the inside facing part of the cup supporter
to operably join the bottom of the brief and the front panel
together.
7. The combination athletic brief and cup supporter of claim 6,
wherein said bottom seam faces inwardly inside the brief.
8. The combination brief of claim 1 wherein said front panel is
sewn on the inside of the front portion of the brief.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The within invention relates to undergarment briefs, and, more
particularly, to a two piece, combination athletic brief and cup
supporter, and additionally relates to a method of producing such a
garment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Traditionally, in any sports contact related competition, male
participants wear jockstraps, with or without a protective cup for
testicular protection. Such jockstrap garments consist of a
waistband, a generally triangularly-shaped piece of material
secured along its top portion to the waistband, serving to form a
pouch for cradling the male's penis and testicles, and a pair of
straps which are connected to the bottom end of the pouch to the
side of the waistband oppositely disposed to the pouch attachment
to the waistband. The pouch usually consists of a pocket with
closure snaps along the uppermost portion thereof designed for the
purpose of receiving a rigid, protective cup designed to cover the
male's penis and testicles, thereby protecting the male's private
parts from damage due to hard blows. In order to fit snugly against
the body of the wearer, the garment is constructed of an elastic
material. Such garments are commonly referred to as
"jockstraps".
However, such conventional jockstraps have traditionally had
numerous problems.
One such typical, frequently-encountered problem is that the
elastic straps of such jockstraps instead of remaining flat against
the buttocks of the wearer, have a tendency to roll inwardly to the
innermost edge of the buttocks, causing testicular irritation and
uncomfortable, irritating and annoying blockage to the anus, a very
sensitive area of the human body.
Another problem resident in the use of such conventionally
constructed jockstraps is the fact that due to the more-than-normal
body movements encountered in sports activities, and the garment's
stress concentrations created by a combination of the extreme body
movements encountered in typical sports' activities, the jockstrap
design and the mode of construction of garments, the elastic
material is quickly overstressed and exceeds the yield point of the
elastic material. Once the yield point of the material is exceeded,
the elastic material will not return to its former unstretched
condition. Consequently, the jockstrap will no longer hug the
contour of the buttocks and/or the penis and testicles of the
wearer. When this occurs, the protection afforded by the jockstrap
is severely reduced due to the lack of conformity to the body's
contours. For example, as a result of such looseness created by a
loss of the fabric's elasticity, the protective cup in the pouch
may be shifted from one side to another at times uncovering the
male's private parts. If the area of the male's private parts
should be typically encountered in strenuous sports' activities,
the protective cup will no longer function as a protective device,
it now becomes a dangerous instrumentality which, if hit, will
cause injury to the male privates.
Another problem presented in the use of such traditional, prior art
jockstraps is that of sanitation. The design of such a skimpy
garment a discussed previously tends to congregate and bunch-up in
intimate contact with the outlet of the anal cavity. Since the
entrance to, and the area immediately surrounding the anus is
typically not totally free from fecal matter, and other excretory
fluids, the straps tend to absorb such materials which are highly
acidic and/or laden with bacteria. The absorption of such materials
into the straps poses a serious sanitation problem, as well as
causing rapid deterioration of the elastic fabric forming such
straps.
The snap closures used in the typical jockstrap creates problems of
irritation and sanitation as well. Such snaps pose
bacteria/germicical/sanitation problems in that such fasteners
offer a plurality of receptacles in which such bacteria, germs, and
other undesirable materials which create sanitation problems can,
and do, reside. Such receptacles create a problem, perhaps not well
recognized, to the user in the spread of disease and are odor
causing because of their ability to house and contain such
undesirable materials.
Further, the previously used and employed jockstraps are
constructed of elastic material, typically including a substantial
amount of cotton cloth. Elasticized cotton has a relatively short,
useful life as compared to Spandex/Lycra and Nylon stretch
materials.
Another problem with the prior art jockstraps is that they are
relatively uncomfortable to wear after the sports' activities on a
normal basis when not engaging in sports' activities.
An additionally undesirable feature of the prior art jockstraps is
that they are visually unsightly.
Further, prior art jockstraps offer no support whatsoever to the
buttocks of the user.
For these, as well as other, perhaps equally evident,
disadvantages, the present invention was created.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS
Fundamentally, the present invention disclosed and described herein
as a combination athletic brief and cup supporter specially formed
and constructed of two pieces of Spandex/Lycra and Nylon stretch
material, including a brief which is formed of a single piece of
material have four arcuately shaped portions contoured therein and
a continuous side mediately arranged therein, so that when folded
along one of the sides and the other sides are aligned and joined
by sewing the two open ends together and brief is formed having a
waist and two openings for the legs of the brief wearer, and a cup
pocket formed in the front portion of the brief by a single piece
of material sewn thereon along the sides and bottom thereof to the
front and along the bottom thereof.
One object of the invention is to provide a improved combination
brief and atheletic cup supporter in one embodiment which is
comfortable to wear on a day-round, regardless-of-use basis.
Another equally important and highly desirable object of the
present invention is to provide a uniquely novel combination brief
and athletic cup supporter for which is constructed of Spandex or
Lycra and Nylon stretch fabric.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide
some added contour and support for the buttocks.
Another primary and important object of the present invention is to
provide a means for holding a wide range of different size
cups.
One further object of the invention is to provide a brief which is
capable of flexibility accomodating a range of sizes.
One yet still further object of the invention is to provide for an
extremely comfortable and expandable combination brief and cup
supporter.
Another primary and important object of the invention is to provide
for an improved combination athletic brief and cup supporter which
can be easily manufactured using only two pieces of material.
Another primary feature of the instant invention is to provide an
athletic cup supporter which does not use any fasteners or devices
which are required to keep the pouch closed in order to hold the
protective cup.
A further important object of the instant invention is to provide
an athletic sup supporter which eliminates the use of straps.
Another equally important feature and object of the present
invention is to provide a unique combination brief and athletic cup
supporter which is adapted for use for all sports.
Other features and characteristics of the invention disclosed
herein will becoming increasingly and readily more apparent as the
description proceeds further hereinafterwards, such description
including the drawings which form a part of this application, in
which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front outside view of the new and unique combination
dual purpose athletic brief and cup supporter as characterized by
the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear outside view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an inside front view of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the single piece of material which has
been cut into a shape and contour from which the the athletic brief
of the present invention is formed.
FIG. 5 is a generally perspective view of the fully constructed
brief depicting in an exploded, assembly view form, precisely how
the frontmost portion of the cup supporter portion is located and
secured to the body of the athletic brief portion of the present
invention.
FIG. 6 is a side, vertically disposed, elevational view of the
invention shown in full section, depicting the specific placement
of the protective cup within the front pouch of the athletic
supporters of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the two pieces of material which are to be
sewn together to form the body of the brief portion of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
With continued reference to the drawings herein and with special
emphasis now on FIG. 1, there is shown and described the new and
improved dual purpose athletic brief and cup supporter generally
identified at 10. Basically, the brief and cup supporter 10 body is
formed of two pieces of a combination of Nylon and Spandex or Nylon
and Lycra material which provides an inherent means for conformably
hugging the body and the crouch area of the wearer, one of the
pieces forming the brief generally indicated at 11 and the other of
the pieces forming, in combination with the front portion of the
brief, the cup supporter generally indicated at 12 and further
consists of a waistband 13 encircling the top of the brief 10 with
an elastic band 14 sewn therein to provide the necessary gripping
force by which to engage the waist of the brief user, a first leg
opening 15 the rim of which includes an elastic band 16 which is
sewn thereinto in order to assist it with gripping the leg of the
brief user, a second leg opening 17 the rim of which includes an
elastic band 18 which is sewn thereinto in order to assist it with
gripping the leg of the brief user, and a seam 19 sewn along one
side of the brief 10.
FIG. 2 depicts a rear elevational view of the brief and cup
supporter combination 10 depicting the waistband 13 with the
elastic material 14 sewn therein with the circumferencially
disposed sewn seam 20 and the elasticized first leg opening 15 and
second leg opening 17, along with the bottom crouch seam 21.
FIG. 3 illustrates the front elevational view of the brief and cup
supporter 10 as viewed from the inside thereof. The view reveals
the specific form of construction relative to how the cup supporter
12 is formed and integrated as part of the brief 11 with the piece
of material forming the cup supporter 12 being attached to the
inside front of the brief 11 by sewing the bottom portion 22 to the
bottom of the crouch 23, and by sewing the two vertical edges 24,
25 of the cup supporter 12 to the front portion of the brief 11.
The top edge 26 of the cup supporter 12 is arranged so as to be
disposed immediately below the bottom edge 27 of the waistband
13
One of the purposes of disposing the top edge 26 of the cup
supporter 12 immediately below the bottom edge 27 of the waistband
13 is to provide a stop means for the cup 28 after it is inserted
into the pocket created by securing the two pieces of material
together to form a cup supporter 12.
One of the critical aspects of this new brief and cup supporter 10
construction is that in order for it to function successfully it
must be formed of a specific type of material; if not, it will not
be successful in functioning in the desired fashion. The material
is described as Nylon and Spandex or Nylon and Lycra. Preferrably,
the material should be formed of 87% Nylon and 13% Spandex or 87%
Nylon and 13% Lycra. The material composition could be varied by 3
to 5 percent and still function properly as disclosed herein. Use
of this material creates a strong, yet fully elastic body which
restrains every portion of the body which is covered by the brief
and cup supporter 10. Further, the use of this particular material
allows the completely uniform force exerted by the material forming
the brief and cup supporter 10 to be spread uniformly over the
entire cup 28 which is held in the pocket which forms the cup
supporter 12, thereby ensuring that the cup 28 will be maintained
in the position it was originally placed.
By using this construction and this specific material, a brief and
cup supporter 10 is created without snaps or other fasteners which
can bind or otherwise inhibit the wearer and/or create undesirable
habitats for the generation and growth of germs, bacteria and other
odor-causing mechanisms. With this material and the total absence
of snaps or other fasteners in this brief and cup supporter, a new,
unique and sanitary brief and cup supporter 10 is created
satisfying a long-felt need in this product field.
Also, by the very nature of the construction form as described
herein, the cup 28, once placed in the pocket forming the cup
supporter 12, is significantly restrained from moving up and out of
the pocket when hit or moved during significant activity of the
wearer.
METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION
With particular emphasis now on FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown, in
greatly simplified form, the primary method of constructing the
combination brief and cup supporter 10 characterized by the present
invention.
FIG. 4 depicts the single piece of material which forms the basic
body of the brief 11. The fold lines A and B are the primary fold
lines used in forming the product. Fold line A relates to the fold
line for the material in which to house the elastic waistband. Fold
line B is the fold line which relates to the unsewn side of the
brief and cup supporter 10.
After the single piece of material is folded 180 degrees about fold
line B, the opposite edges of the single piece of material which
forms the other side of the brief 11 body, are sewn together to
form a seam 19, thereby creating a basic brief 11.
Elastic bands 16, 18 are sewn in the leg openings as depicted in
FIG. 5. The purpose of these elastic bands 16, 18 is to provide a
means for the leg openings 15, 17 to be lockingly gripped about the
legs of the wearer of the brief and cup supporter combination 10 of
the present invention.
An elastic band 14 is sewn into and about the waistband 13 of the
athletic brief and cup supporter 10. The purpose of the elastic
waistband 14 is to provide a means for lockingly grip the brief and
cup supporter 10 in a definite position about the waist of the
brief and cup supporter wearer.
The second piece of material 29 which helps to form the pocket for
the cup supporter is positioned as shown in the front of the brief
11 and sewn into position into the front of the brief 11 and along
the bottom 22 of the crouch at 21. Once this is accomplished, the
entire brief and cup supporter combination 10 is turned inside out,
so that the second piece of the material 29 is now facing the
inside of the brief and cup supporter combination 10.
The cutaway sectional view of FIG. 6 illustrates the construction
arrangement as described herein before, and the preferred placement
of the cup 28 within the pocket formed by the cup supporter portion
12 of the athletic brief and cup supporter combination 10.
With special reference now again to FIG. 3, the upper portion 30 of
the cup supporter 12 of the within combination athletic brief and
cup supporter 10 is secured to the waistband 13 by looping the
upper ends 31, 32 thereof into the waistband 13 and sewn therein.
The purpose and function of this construction is to provide not
only for improved anchoring durability of the overall cup supporter
12 but to provide a means for ensuring that the upper edge 33 is
projected slightly away from the waistband 13 whereby the cup
supporter 12 is slightly open for ease of cup 28 insertion
thereinto.
Alternatively, the brief 11 could just as simply be formed of two
pieces of material generally formed in the same shape as clearly
depicted and shown in FIG. 7 of the Drawings wherein the mediate
portion thereof is separated. To form a brief 11 using these two
pieces would simply require that two sewn seams would be necessary
along the sides of the brief 11 instead of a single seam 19 as
shown in 11 might be desirable for the purpose of portraying a
"balanced" look for the brief 11 and/or might offer some further
opportunities in the specific machinery which is used to cut,
shape, form and sew the materials from which the brief 11 is
constructed. Of course, the waistband fold lines would be now
identified by fold lines A1 and A2 instead of fold line A.
This combination athletic brief and cup supporter 10 contains the
only cup supporter 11 which provides for full, complete elastic
coverage over the entire crouch area of the wearer and is similarly
secured about the buttocks of the wearer of all which offers the
user with a uniquely secure and comfortable cup supporter 11.
Previous cup supporter 11 designs were used either alone or in
combination with large full or mid-length briefs which failed to
offer the opportunity to be used and incorporated into all sports
activities, such swimming, water skiing, water polo, diving, jet
skiing and the like.
Further, such combination brief 10 offers for the first time a cup
supporter 12 and brief 11 combination 10 which can be welcomely
worn even outside of such sports activities, thereby eliminating
the need for carrying a separate pair of non-sport briefs for
after-sport-activities use.
It should be clearly understood and realized that various
modifications can be made to the above-described preferred
embodiments, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Further, as will be seen from the embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, the previously described advantages
may be readily and economically attained by the structure of the
present invention.
* * * * *